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    • DO YOU HAVE AN ELECTRICAL CERTIFICATE?

    I was recently chatting to a landlord who self-managed his properties and was having a problem with one of his tenants who had fallen into rent arrears. Despite trying all they could to help the tenant, it was clear the arrears were not going to be made up and they would continue to increase.

    The landlord was picking my brain on what paperwork was required, in the event he had to go down the court route.

    It was apparent to me that he was a good landlord and had always used an agent (not Move On) to set up a new tenant for each property and then let the tenancies rollover.

    After going through the paperwork, it was clear he had not had any electrical certificates conducted on his properties and he was completely oblivious to the fact that he needed one. He was under the impression that they would only be required for new tenants moving in after April 2021 and as none of his tenants had moved out, he hadn’t instructed his electrician to do them.

    Part of the court paperwork is to include all legislative paperwork. Also in the court waiting room is a representative from Shelter, who will go through the tenant’s paperwork as well.

    I advised him to get the electrical certificates completed ASAP.

    For the avoidance of doubt:

    SINCE APRIL 2021 – ALL RENTAL PROPERTIES MUST HAVE A VALID FIVE-YEAR EICR CERTIFICATE!

    Feeling deflated? Exhausted with all the changes? Then let us take care of your property needs. We promise to hold your hand throughout this process, giving you less stress and more freedom!

    If you fancy an informal chat any time, then email me sharon@moveon.biz with your phone number.

    Sharon

    NEW RULES FOR SMOKE AND CO ALARMS IN RENTAL…

    NEW RULES FOR SMOKE AND CO ALARMS IN RENTAL PROPERTIES

    As of the 1st October 2022, changes to the regulations for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in private rented properties are coming into force.

    Changes like these are frequent in the rental sector, and it’s vital that you as a landlord, and we as agents, are up to date on the latest legislation.

    We’ve put together a short guide below to explain the changes coming up and answer the most common questions we’ve had… Read more “NEW RULES FOR SMOKE AND CO ALARMS IN RENTAL PROPERTIES” →

    Abolishing Section 21!

    ABOLISHING SECTION 21!

    The Government’s levelling up Rental Reform white paper bill has included this in detail.

    Section 21, often referred to as the ‘No Fault Eviction’, has been a security blanket for landlords. If you as a landlord wanted your property back, then a Section 21 will guarantee you your property back.

    By abolishing the Section 21, this will no longer be the case. The tenant will be able to give 2 months’ notice at any time and the landlord must give a reason as to why they want the property back and that reason must be one of the grounds of a new updated Section 8 notice.

    If I look at the occasions we have issued a section 21 over the last 30 odd years (and there really has not been that many), 95% of the time, it was because the tenants were in rent arrears, the landlord wanted to sell his property or the landlord wanted to move back in. The new Section 8 notice will have additional grounds to cover these reasons.

    There are additional caveats to these. If you decide you want to sell the property and give the tenants notice, you must prove it was on a portal for sale and if your situation changes and you decide to put the property back up to rent, then there must be a gap of 3 months between the tenants.

    If you are seeking possession because the tenant is in the minimum 2 months of arrears and they decide to pay a nominal amount that takes them under the 2-month threshold the day before court, then you will not regain the property (as it is now), however, if the tenant does this 3 times in 3 years, the court will give the property back.

    Feeling deflated? Exhausted with all the changes? Then let us take care of your property needs. We promise to hold your hands throughout this process, giving you less stress and more free!

    If yancy an informal chat any time, then email me sharon@moveon.biz with your phone number.

    Sharon

    NEW RENTAL LEGISLATIONS – HERE WE GO AGAIN!

    Goodness me, blink and you could be forgiven for missing more changes within the rental legislations.

    On the 16th May 2022 with immediate effect, properties with two or more domestic dwellings must have a fire risk assessment by a ‘Responsible Person’, whether they have a communal area or not. This could simply be a house that has been converted into two flats. The risk assessment must include the buildings structure such as floors and ceilings and internal walls as well as external fixings such as cladding or balconies.

    From 1st October 2022, carbon monoxide alarms will be required in rooms with combustion appliances include gas and oil appliances (except gas cookers). The additional amendment also requires the landlord to repair or replace the alarms once the landlord has been informed of a fault. This will apply to all new and existing tenancies.

    On the 15th June 2022, the Government released the Renters’ Reform Bill White Paper, which has a shopping list of suggested changes in the 86 pages! Abolishing Section 21, no initial fixed term tenancy, no tenancy renewals, banning of children, pets and people on benefits to be outlawed, a new Landlord Ombudsman and loads more. Before rushing to us to sell your property, please note a ‘Bill’ is a proposal to change an existing law and debated in Parliament prior to Royal Ascent. Due to the complexities of the proposals, we will be probably looking at least 12 months for this to go through.

    Feeling deflated? Exhausted with all the changes? Then let us take care of your property needs.

    If you wish to know more on the new fire risk assessments that are now in force, please email sharon@moveon.biz for a more detailed report.

    Sharon

    Nil Deposit Schemes: Everything You Need to Know

    Did you know that there’s currently £5.2 billion locked up in deposit schemes?

    At Move On, we work with flatfair to offer a Nil Deposit Option that works for both tenants and landlords. flatfair have helped save tenants over £10 million in upfront costs so far, helping alleviate the stress of moving between rental properties and the costs it can include.

    Nil Deposit Option – Information for Tenants

    Deposits for rental properties can be expensive. And with the rising cost of living, some of us simply don’t have the funds to pay an extra five weeks’ worth of rent upfront. Tenants are spending an average of £3,350 on moving costs, and most are having to pay for a new deposit before they get their old one back.

    How does it work?

    When you sign up for a Nil Deposit Option with flatfair and your offer to rent with us has been accepted, you’ll be sent a link from to go through and sign up to the flatfair platform with the plan that we have created for your tenancy. This will include paying a check-in fee of one week’s rent + VAT (or £120, whichever is greater). This check in fee is non-refundable.

    They may ask for various documentation such as your signed tenancy agreement and referencing information.

    At the end of your tenancy with us, we will still carry out a check out report to compare against the inventory and make note of any charges our landlords need to make.

    For more information, visit flatfair or enquire with us about a Nil Deposit option when you view.

     

    Nil Deposit Option – Information For Landlords

    Many landlords are cautious when it comes to alternatives to the traditional government-backed deposit schemes. However, flatfair creates new options and another route to protecting your property.

    What does Nil Deposit mean for your rental?

    With a flatfair nil deposit scheme, when tenants move in, they pay a check in fee directly to flatfair. Then, at the end of a tenancy, if there are any charges or unpaid rent, all relevant documents (such as check out reports) need to be uploaded to flatfair and tenants are asked to pay the amount agreed.

    If there is any dispute, this will be discussed through government-backed, independent adjudicators.

    Once charges are established and agreed with No Deposit, flatfair can offer up to 10 weeks’ worth of protection and put landlords back in pocket within just 10 days.

    And, if you’re managed by us at Move On, we’ll take the stress of arranging check out reports and figures for deductions off your shoulders. We’ll deal with all correspondence between flatfair and the tenants, so you don’t have to.

    Interested in finding out more about flatfair and their Nil Deposit options? Click here to read more information, or chat with us today!

    Tel: 01202 711169

    Email: enquiries@moveon.biz

     

    RENTAL PAPERWORK- IT MUST BE ACCURATE!

    Sometimes, I forget how the systems I have put in place over the years are rigorous and almost fool-proof (never say never!). So when we take over properties from other agents, this always comes back to remind me.

    We recently took over an HMO property from another agent and was shocked to discover there were deposits taken that equalled more than the 5 weeks’ equivalent legal limit, and on one tenancy the rental amount per calendar month was nowhere to be seen on the tenancy agreement. These are schoolboy errors in my opinion!

    At Move On, all legal paperwork goes through three audits to ensure the dates and addresses are correct, names match passports, right to rent has passed, and many other checks to ensure the paperwork is absolutely water tight in the event it ever had to go to court or a tenant being able to make a claim, like the deposit collected being more than 5 weeks of the rent!

    At Move On, we make sure all our landlords can sleep at night, because this is what we do every day. We make sure we are always up to date with latest legislations, and we are often ahead of the deadline.

    Is it time to move on with Move On? Ring me or come in and have a chat, we really are a friendly, professional bunch.

    If you would like a free up to date rental appraisal or fresh eyes over your paperwork to ensure you are compliant, then please contact me 01202 711169 or email sharon@moveon.biz

     

    Sharon

    LANDLORD FINED!

    How can I make sure I’m compliant on my rental property?

    Coventry City Council has become the first council to fine a landlord under the ‘Electrical Safety Standards 2020′ legislation.

    In July 2021, new rules came in to force whereby all rental properties must have a 5-year electrical certificate by a qualified person. A copy of the certificate must be given to the tenants and provided to the council if requested.

    The landlord in question (who has not been named) failed to have a certificate and was fined £1,600.00. Adrian Chowns, the enforcement officer for Coventry City Council, said “We believe this is the first time these powers have been used by a local authority in England”.

    The government and local councils are keen to ensure rental properties are kept up to a decent standard of living for tenants, and that the appropriate safety measures are in place. Local councils now have the authority to fine landlords up to £30,000 for breach of regulations.

    At Move On, we make sure all our landlords can sleep at night, because this is what we do every day. We make sure we are always up to date with latest legislations, and we are often ahead of the deadline.

    Check out our FREE Compliance Guide for UK Landlords to find out if your rental property is complying with the latest legislation

    Is it time to move on with Move On? Call me or come in and have a chat, we really are a friendly and professional bunch.

    If you would like a free, up-to-date rental appraisal or fresh eyes over your paperwork to ensure you are compliant, then please contact me 01202 711169 or email sharon@moveon.biz

     

    Sharon

    Right to Rent Checks Advice for Landlords

    Right to Rent Changes 2022: What You Need to…

    Changes to how tenants can prove their Right to Rent in the UK are just one example of the many legislative changes for the lettings sector in the last few years. These frequent right to rent changes can make it difficult for landlords to know how to keep up and keep their rental properties and tenancies compliant.

    Right to Rent Checks Advice for Landlords

    Right to rent legislation for landlords and agents from the UK government has changed multiple times over the last couple of years, particularly throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. But what are the newest changes and how can you make sure you’re doing the right thing? That’s where we come in. Check out our list of frequently asked questions from landlords on Right to Rent checks below…

    Got more questions? Our Landlord Compliance Guide has everything you need to know about the latest legislation changes for rental properties in England.

    Compliance Guide for Landlords 2022

    Download the full guide for FREE here.

    What are right to rent checks?

    Right to Rent checks refer to mandatory checks that landlords in England need to carry out on all prospective tenants. This includes those subletting or those taking in lodgers, and the checks are to ensure that all tenants have the right to rent in England before entering into an agreement. The idea of these checks was introduced after the Immigration Act 2014.

    Checks include verifying the identity of your tenants through physical or online government documents and checking their right to reside in the UK through these.

    Generally, to have a right to rent in England means tenants:

    • Are a British Citizen
    • Are an EEA or Swiss National
    • Otherwise have a ‘Right to Rent’ in the UK

    Who needs to be checked?

    All prospective tenants and permitted occupiers over the age of 18 should be checked before a let is agreed.

    These checks must also be followed up on any renewal of tenancies in the case that a tenant’s residence permit or visa expires during the tenancy. They must also be carried out on any children included in a tenancy upon renewal if that child has turned 18 throughout the tenancy.

    What documents can you use?

    The government guidance on which physical documents can be checked changed at the beginning of April 2022.

    Currently, for UK and Irish citizens, right to rent can be proven with either a UK or Irish passport or a combination of two other examples of photo I.D (such as a UK driving licence and birth certificate).

    For EU and international citizens who hold residency in the UK (for either a time-limited period or unlimited period), checks now need to be completed using the UK Gov’s online checking service. This uses the tenant’s date of birth and a share code that they must provide to you.

     

    The official UK government guidance (plus accessible versions) can be found by clicking here.

    What are the Right to Rent changes?

    Until 6th April 2022, Biometric Residence Permits for international citizens were still valid to be used as I.D documents for right to rent checks, however this has now changed.

    Anyone who is not a UK or Irish citizen must now use the government online checking service and provide a share code and their date of birth to their landlord or agent for the check to be completed.

    Later this year the UK government are hoping to also replace physical document checks for UK and Irish citizens so everything will be digitized. There are introducing new technology called IDSPs that citizens will be able to set up and verify their identity remotely. However, these are still in development, and we can’t be sure when they will be released for general use yet.

    Conclusion

    Landlords are facing fines of £3,000 per tenant for not completing these checks (or having a managing agent complete them), so it’s incredibly important to ensure these checks are carried out properly.

    Feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone!

    Our property management packages could be the solution you’re looking for. We take care of everything, including checking your new tenant’s right to rent. Or, if you’re still not sure, you can download our free guide for landlords on the most important pieces of compliance you need to keep in mind in 2022.

    Download your free guide here!

    For more information on tenant’s Right to Rent, visit the GOV.UK website: https://www.gov.uk/check-tenant-right-to-rent-documents

    Rents Have Risen!

     

    The past 18-24 months have seen a massive increase in rental prices throughout the Poole and Bournemouth area.

    We are valuing rental stock, new and existing, with huge increases and properties are being successfully let at the new prices.

    Prior to the last couple of years, rents had remained static, but when Covid came and we saw an increase of out-of-towners looking for properties with gardens, this caused a huge demand and saw the rental prices going up.

    We are also seeing a lack of stock coming to the market, which again is increasing the rental prices.

    As a tenant, this is not good news, as we now have an increase in energy prices, fuel prices and cost of living being added on.

    Contrary to popular belief, many landlords are not making vast amounts of money on their rental properties and expect their investment to help them in their retirement years. Those landlords who are already retired, will also be impacted on the cost of living going up.

    It is always a hard decision for landlords to increase rentals when they have had long-standing tenants, this is where Move On can help, by being the negotiator between all parties, in an amicable way.

    At Move On, we make sure all our landlords can sleep at night, because this is what we do every day. We make sure we are always up to date with latest legislations, and we are often ahead of the deadline.

    If you would like a free up to date rental appraisal or fresh eyes over your paperwork to ensure you are compliant, then please contact me 01202 711169 or email sharon@moveon.biz

     

    Sharon

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